Azerbaijan and France ink document in defense sector

Azerbaijani and French Defense Ministries signed a technical agreement on cooperation in defense sector, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said. The document was signed during Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov's official visit to France, which started on January 13.

During the visit, Hasanov also held a series of meetings with the military leadership of France and heads of French companies producing defense products and discussed issues of bilateral cooperation during the meetings.

Hasanov's French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed Paris`s interest in developing cooperation with Azerbaijan. Hasanov, in turn, noted the role of the presidents in developing relations between the two countries.

The Azerbaijani minister expressed hope his visit would contribute to deepening defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and France.

He further said he held some fruitful meetings with chairman of the General Directorate for Armament at the French Defense Ministry as well as heads of military industrial companies as part of his visit.

Hasanov also met Chief-of-Staff of the French Army, Admiral Edouard Guillaud to discuss issues of mutual interest. As a part of his visit, he also visited Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Paris.